Leonardo TMNT Beanie Mask

My husband is a big fan of TMNT (and a kid at heart!) so I just couldn't resist crocheting this beanie mask as a Christmas present.

I used a size "I" crochet hook with Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn in Royal and Kelly Green.

I followed the Crochet Ninja Turtle Mask Hat pattern by Holyjeans and My Favorite Things.  It was listed as a child size, but I agree with the author that it's actually an adult size.  The beanie measures 22 inches around and 9 inches tall (mask to tip of hat).

Hope this provides some inspiration for your next project!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Popcorn Cowl

Alright... You're getting another sneak-peek at a Christmas gift for my mother:  what I like to call the Popcorn Cowl!

For this cowl, I followed Crafty Begonia's Julie Cowl pattern.  I'm not sure if I stitched 90 chains like the pattern called for-- I just counted by twos to be sure I stitched an even number of chains.

For yarn, I used Red Heart Super Saver in Grey Heather with a size "H" crochet hook.

This cowl measures 24 inches around and 9 inches tall.  When worn, it folds into cute and cozy layers.  See?

This pattern was fun to do, because it alternated stitches for each row (double-crochet stitches for one row, followed by single-crochet and treble stitches in the next row).  This kept it interesting and enjoyable.  I could see using this pattern again for a blanket-- how cozy!!

Hope you're feeling inspired to start your next crochet project.  

Happy hooking,

Jilliane

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Half-Double Crochet Cowl

Can you keep a secret?  This beautiful cowl will be a Christmas present for my mother!

I used a size "L" crochet hook with less than one skein of Caron yarn in Fresh Green.  For the pattern, I loosely followed the Easy Weekend Afghan pattern by Baby to Boomer Lifestyle. Instead of using three strands of yarn like the pattern calls for, I used just one strand.  I can see how using multiple strands would create a beautiful, thick blanket in no time flat!

To finish, I whip stitched the first and last rows together.  Altogether, the cowl measures 9 inches wide and 22 inches around.  Can't wait to see it on my mom!

Have a wonderful holiday season full of family, fun, and crochet projects!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Winter Blues Chevron Cowl

This super-cute cowl will be a gift in my family's Christmas game-- recipient TBA!

For this cowl, I used a size "I" crochet hook with the following yarn:
- Red Heart Super Saver, Turqua
- Red Heart Super Saver, Grey Heather
- Red Heart Super Saver, Icelandic

As for the pattern of colors-- it's 2 rows of grey, 3 rows of turquoise, 2 rows of grey, and then lots of rows of the blue blend.

I closely followed the Winter Waves Chevron Cowl pattern by Cre8tion Crochet.  One variation right off the bat-- I started with a chain of 34 only.  Also, I inserted the crochet hook into the back loops only (often abbreviated as BLO in crochet patterns).  I'm really glad I did this-- it created a neat ribbed look!

To finish, I did a whip stitch into the back loops only of last row and the front loops only of the first row to try to replicate the other rows.  It came out nearly perfect on one side and a little more noticeable on the other.  Regardless, I like how it turned out.

The cowl measures 26 inches around and 9 inches tall-- creating cozy layers and waves.

Hope you're feeling inspired to start your next crochet project!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Double-Crochet V-Stitch Cowl

This cowl was a birthday present to my best friend, Erin who turned 29 (again!).  I think it will keep her cozy and cute for the long winter ahead.

I used a size "I" crochet hook with the following yarn:
- Loops and Threads Impeccable, Royal
- Red Heart Super Saver, Grey Heather
- Red Heart Super Saver, Turqua

I followed the V Double Crochet Stitch tutorial from Dream a Little Bigger.  For the color pattern, I simply alternated grey and blue every two rows, plus I crocheted four rows in turquoise for an extra pop of color.

You may be thinking:  I love stripes but I hate switching colors.  Have no fear-- I used a trick I learned on Moogly and practiced with the Leaping Stripes and Blocks Baby Blanket earlier this year. With this trick, a short strip of the unused color  runs along the edge of your work and later, your edging covers it up.

The edging is simply a single crochet stitch.  I stitched two single crochets around the last double-crochet for each row.  As you can see, the edging completely covers the unused colors running along the edge (it's our little secret!).

This cowl measures 27 inches around and 9 inches tall.  When worn, it folds into cozy layers that are sure to keep Erin warm through the winter months.

The Birthday Girl :)

Feeling inspired to start your next project?  Sure hope so!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Pink Ribbon Scarf

This scarf is made to look like the well-known Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon, and I plan to give it to my colleague, Sue who is fighting back against a recent diagnosis.

For this project, I used a size "L" crochet hook with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Perfect Pink and Soft White.

I followed the Wrapped in Hope Scarf pattern posted on Ravelry.  This pattern was very easy to follow and involved single, double, and half double crochet stitches.  Even creating the slit for weaving in the scarf was surprisingly easy to do.  

I deviated slightly from the pattern when I added the half-double crochet stitches in white for the edging, as well as the fringe for a final touch.  I'm happy with the outcome!

This scarf is cozy, cute, and girly-- plus it lays nicely with the slit opening.  It measures 46 inches long by 4-1/2 inches wide.

Hope this leaves you feeling inspired to start your next crochet project.  

Happy hooking,

Jilliane

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Ribbed Cowl with Buttons

This ribbed cowl with buttons will be a gift for my family's "white elephant" Christmas game.

I used a size "I" crochet hook with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Dove (a pretty gray blend).  I followed the Rib Crochet Striped Scarf pattern, which I've used before for the Pittsburgh Steelers Kid's Scarf.

The cowl measures 25 inches long by 7 inches tall.  The buttons are secured with some bright blue yarn to make it pop.  What I love about this cowl is its versatility-- the buttons allow it to be secured in many ways for different looks.

Happy hooking,

Jilliane


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Double-Crochet Purple Cowl

This double-crochet cowl will be a lovely gift for one of my aunts or cousins.  It will be a wrapped and given away in our family's "white elephant" Christmas game-- oh, the suspense!

I used a size "I" crochet hook with scrap yarn in Dark Orchid by Red Heart Super Saver.  The pattern is one that I wrote and used previously for the Double-Crochet Beige Cowl.

This cowl is 25 inches around and 11 inches tall-- perfect measurements to scrunch and fold into cozy layers.

Hope this project inspires your next creation!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Simple Fluffy Cowl

This fluffy cowl was such a simple project-- I whipped it up in about 1 hour! 

I used a huge crochet hook-- a size Q, I think.  As for the pattern, it's simply a chain of single-crochet stitches connected with a slip stitch, followed by rows and rows of single crochets.  For yarn, I used a leftover skein of Lion Brand Homespun (the soft, wavy, fluffy kind!).

This cowl was super quick and easy, and it measures 25 inches around and 9 inches tall.  I plan to give it away in our family's "white elephant" Christmas game-- can't wait to see someone in my family wearing it!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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Amigurumi Pumpkin

Fall is in full swing with the beautiful foliage, chilly mornings, and Halloween right around the corner.  It's only fitting that my latest project is a pumpkin!

I used a size "G" crochet hook and scrap yarn in orange, brown, and green.  Just like the Ripple Stitch Beach Blanket, this project has an extra special touch-- it was made with yarn that I inherited from my Great-Grandma Bolt.  For the stuffing, I used Silky Soft's ultra soft poly-fil found at JoAnn Fabrics (on sale last week!).  

This adorable pumpkin measures 14-1/2 inches around and 5 inches tall.  It took only a few hours to complete following Lion Brand Yarn's Amigurumi Happy Pumpkin pattern.  You'll notice that I skipped the step of adding a smiley face.  I thought it looked too Halloween-y, and I want to use the pumpkin as a decoration into Thanksgiving time.  

Hope you're feeling motivated to start your next project!

Happy hooking,

Jilliane

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Cowl in Narcissus Lace Tunisian Stitch

This crocheted cowl was a birthday gift for my mother.  Cowls are fun to do because they're so small and can be stitched up in a few evenings.  Not to mention, they're a great way to try out a new stitch!

For this project, I used a size "I" Tunisian crochet hook and about half a skein of Red Heart Super Saver in Buff.  I tried a new stitch called the Narcissus Lace Tunisian Stitch by M. J. Joachim, which included pictures and easy-to-follow instructions.

My mother is petite (only 5'1"!), so I made sure to keep the cowl small, too.  It measures 8 inches tall and 11-1/2 inches wide (making it 23 inches around).  For someone who's taller, you may want to add an inch or two to the width. 

Hope this gives you some new inspiration for your next crochet project... Happy hooking!

Jilliane


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Ripple Stitch Beach Blanket

This blanket is the result of my niece's wild imagination.  Long story short, I inherited 30+ skeins of yarn from my Great Grandma Bolt's collection and my niece dreamed up the idea of beach-themed blanket.

Coolest thing about this project?  My nieces are cuddling up with a blanket crocheted by their aunt and made of yarn picked out by their great-great-grandmother!

My imaginative niece, Mariella

I used a size "G" crochet hook and many colors of scrap yarn.  The stitch is the Large Ripple Crochet Pattern by Daisy Cottage Designs and includes easy-to-follow instructions.

Because I was working with scrap yarn, I changed colors very often.  To keep it smooth and hidden, I used a technique called the Russian Join.  Easy peasy!

Mariella with photo bomber / little sister, Laurina

I'm realizing now that I forgot to measure this blanket but I'm going to estimate that it's close to 40 inches wide and 30 inches tall.

Hope you're feeling inspired for your next project... Happy hooking!

Jilliane


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Rainbow Granny Square Blanket with Flower & Fringe

After seeing her sister's new blanket with interlocking rings, my niece, Mariella put in a request for a blanket with "lots of colors!  And fringe!  And a flower!"  And being the awesome aunt that I am, I said "yes," of course.

For this project, I used a size G crochet hook and the following yarns:
- Lion Brand Homespun, Mimosa - 2 skeins, 185 yards each
- Red Heart Super Saver, Aran - scrap

While beautiful, the texture of the Lion Brand Homespun yarn can be a bit tricky to work with-- the layers pull apart and it can be hard to see and count stitches.  So, I chose the granny square pattern for its simplicity.  As I have for past projects, I continued to follow the clear and easy instructions for Lisa's granny square crochet pattern.  After 19 rounds of the granny square pattern, the blanket measured 24 inches by 24 inches, and there was only a small scrap of the blended yarn remaining.

For the flower applique, I followed the 3-part video tutorial by epicabundance.  As you can see in the picture, I used the beige yarn for the first and third layers, and the last bit of blended yarn for the second layer.  Once the flower was finished, I secured it to the blanket using the tail of the blended yarn to help it blend in seamlessly.

After that, the fringe was the only step left to do.  I used the beige yarn again, cutting a lot of 7-inch long strands and looping three at a time through the spaces on the final row of granny squares.  Fringe included, the blanket measures 30 inches by 30 inches.

This was a very simple project with a few extra touches to make it special.

Hope you're feeling inspired for your next project... Happy hooking!

Jilliane


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"Peek-a-boo!" Baby Blanket with Interlocking Rings

Well, as you can see, I took a short break from crocheting after the fast pace of my winter projects.  Both my mind and my hands needed a moment to recuperate.

For my latest project, I was asked to make a new baby blanket for my youngest niece, Laurina to make her feel better about nap-time at Nana and Papa's house.

For this small project, I found three balls of scrap yarn that went well together and used a size G crochet hook.  I think the pink and white yarn are both RedHeart Super Saver, and the blended yarn is most likely Lion Brand Homespun.

I was feeling creative, so I decided to experiment with a new pattern.  You won't believe it-- this pattern was for a potholder!  And to add more challenge, the potholder ring pattern by Bigu Handmade was written in Spanish (not my native tongue, in case you were wondering!).

Thankfully, the pattern included lots of pictures and numbers-- and the rest was just guesswork.  For each ring, I made a chain of 18, connected it with a slip stitch, and then crocheted 36 double crochets around the loop.  I think the pattern said to do 32 double crochets, but it didn't seem like enough to me.

After the rings were connected, it was time to begin making the square around the rings.  I did 8 single crochets along the top of one ring and then 8 single crochets across the top of next ring.  Next, I did two single crochets to create a "corner."  I repeated this three more times until I had completed the square.  Finally, I connected this row with a slip stitch.

After that, I just continued with rows of single crochets and double crochets, switching colors along the way to create an interesting pattern.  Easy peasy!

I'm realizing now that I forgot to measure the blanket before giving it to my niece.  Oops.  More importantly, though, Laurina loves her new blanket and likes playing peek-a-boo through the rings!

Happy hooking!

Jilliane


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Leaping Stripes & Blocks Newborn Beanie

My cousin, Daisy and her husband are expecting their first child in late-April, so I decided to make crochet a matching blanket and beanie for the little guy.

After crocheting the beanie, I was feeling skeptical about the sizing, so I made some adjustments and crocheted a second smaller beanie.  Throughout the blog, I'll refer to the baby beanie and the newborn beanie.

For both beanies, I used the same three colors of yarn as I did with the matching blanket-- Red Heart Super Saver in Dark Orchid, Red Heart Super Saver in Turqua, and Red Heart with Love in Pewter.  And once again, I followed Moogly's Leaping Stripes and Blocks pattern.

Here are my notes for the newborn beanie:  
I used a size G crochet hook.  After completing Round 3 (36 stitches), I skipped ahead to Round 5 of the leaping blocks section.  After completing Rounds 5-10 of the leaping blocks pattern, I skipped ahead to Round 13.  For the edging, I crocheted only 3 chains.

The newborn beanie measures about 5-1/2 inches tall and 13 inches around.

Here are my notes for the baby beanie:
I used a size "I" crochet hook.  After completing Round 3 (36 stitches), I skipped ahead to Round 5 of the leaping blocks section.

The baby beanie measures about 7-1/2 inches tall and 15 inches around.

I am so excited to see the handsome little guy wearing his beanies!  Hope this gives you some inspiration for your next project.  Happy hooking!

Jilliane

Update:  Alcott Jameson was born on March 31!

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Leaping Stripes & Blocks Baby Blanket

This baby blanket is a gift for my cousin, Daisy who is expecting her first child-- a baby boy-- in April.  And to go with it, I crocheted a matching baby beanie in the same leaping stripes and blocks pattern.

The color palette was inspired by Daisy's wedding colors: purple & turquoise.  For yarn, I used 1-1/2 skeins each of Red Heart Super Saver in Dark Orchid, Red Heart Super Saver in Turqua, and Red Heart with Love in Pewter.

For this project, I followed Moogly's tutorial for the Leaping Blocks and Stripes Blanket.  I used a size "I" crochet hook and followed the pattern for a standard baby blanket (36" by 36").

For the color pattern, I simply alternated rows of turquoise, grey, and purple throughout the blanket.  And for edging, I did a single crochet stitch around the entire blanket in turquoise.

Despite following the pattern for a 36" by 36" standard baby blanket, this blanket turned out much larger-- about 50" by 50".  I suppose that just means Alcott has room to grow!

Hope this inspires you to start your next project... Happy hooking!

Jilliane

Update:  Alcott Jameson was born on March 31!

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Double-Crochet Beige Cowl

This great cowl is actually for me-- crazy, right?!  I was inspired by a cowl worn by one of my students and decided to make an attempt at imitating it.

For this project, I used a size "I" crochet hook and about two-thirds of a skein of Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Buff.

After studying the student's cowl, here is the super-simple pattern I created:

Foundation:  Chain 61 (or any other odd number)
Row 1:  dc in 5th chain from hook, *ch 1, skip 1, dc 1, repeat from * to end.  Ch 3, turn.
Row 2:  *dc around the ch 1 space, ch 1, repeat from * to end.  Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you reach your desired length.  Secure off the last stitch-- no need to cut the yarn.

Stitching the ends together:
Lay the project flat and then line up the ends.  Stitch together using a whip stitch, which you can learn here: Bunny Mummy's whip stitch tutorial.  I chose the whip stitch because it blends in well with the pattern.

All done!  My cowl measures 37 inches around and 15 inches wide which makes it very fluffy and cozy.

Aside from varying the length, width, yarn texture, and color patterns, I'm sure this would be great with buttons, bows, and even flowers.  Hope you're feeling inspired to crochet your own version of this simple cowl!

Happy hooking,
Jilliane


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